COMMON SHORE-CRAB. 81 



they assume their final form, thus confirming the views of 

 Mr. J. V. Thompson on this subject ; though these little 

 Crabs differ much from the figures of the common edible 

 Crab (Cancer Pagurus), as given by that gentleman. 11 



This detail will be found remarkably consonant with the 

 brief description of the Zoea of this species, by Mr. H. 

 Groodsir,* who, however, gives figures of the more ad- 

 vanced development of the embryo ; and it is very inter- 

 esting to observe these consentaneous accounts of the in- 

 teresting fact, from two observers whose investigations were 

 carried on at a distance from each other, and without any 

 intercommunication. 



It is remarkable that this Crab, unlike the Cancer 

 Pagurus, is active and pugnacious, both during the pro- 

 cess of exuviation, and after it is completed ; and although 

 in some cases it takes place in concealment, and even, as 

 Mr. Couch observes, whilst buried in the sand, yet they 

 certainly appear not to require such precaution, as I have 

 often found them running about both whilst the old crust is 

 loosening, and in the soft state immediately subsequent to 

 exuviation ; and it is not uncommon for the males to seek 

 the females when the latter are in this condition. 



* See Jameson's Journal, xxiii. p. 181. 



